Norrington's Darling

The End of the Endeavour

POV: Zuri Norrington

The rain had stopped and the maelstrom had disappeared by the time we made it back to the Black Pearl. We climbed aboard, Gibbs hauling us up. Elizabeth immediately collapsed into my arms and I held her up.

"He killed him," she whispered, shaking. "He killed my husband."

"I know, Lizzie, I know," I said.

Jack immediately crossed the ship. Gibbs followed, anxiety in his every word and step. "Jack, the armada's still out there, the Endeavour's coming up hard to starboard, and I think it's time we embraced that oldest and noblest of pirate traditions..."

"We cannot run away from this," I said. "We started this war, we must finish it."

Jack's eyes lingered on the horizon, where the maelstrom had been. He gave me a significant look and I understood immediately. 

"Lizzie, you might get your Will back after all," I said.

"What?"

"Never actually been one for tradition..." Jack said. Then he ordered, "Close haul her! Luff the sails and lay her in iron!"

"Belay that, we'll be a sitting duck!" Barbossa snapped.

"Belay that 'belay that.'"

"But, Captain—" Gibbs started.

"Belay!"

"The armada—"

"Belay!"

"The Endeavour—"

"Belay!"

"But we—"

"Stow! Shut it!" Gibbs shut up and Jack's wild hand motions stopped. Now this, this was the captain I knew. This was the Captain Jack Sparrow who everyone would finally see as the captain.

Everyone turned to face the Endeavour. Jack watched expectantly. 

And she began to approach, cannons at the ready. I slipped into my magic. I wanted to gather enough so when I got the chance to kill Beckett, I could do it spectacularly. But our element of surprise had yet to show up.

"Jack..."

"It's going to pay off," he promised me, squeezing my hand.

And the Dutchman burst out of the water, glorious and majestic. 

"Ah, she survived!" Beckett's voice tumbled through my magic. I grinned. 

"He thinks she's on his side still," I said to Jack and he grinned.

"Just as I hoped."

The Pearl and the Dutchman sailed toward each other, the Endeavour between our paths.

"Ready on the guns!" Captain Will Turner ordered and Elizabeth beamed. I felt her happiness radiating out. I couldn't help but smile.

Jack beamed. "Full canvas!"

"AYE, full canvas!" Barbossa yelled.

Both ships turned to make a perfect alleyway for the Endeavour to be between. Our approached began, the ships gaining on Beckett.

"Orders, sir?" Theodore Groves demanded. Beckett said nothing. "SIR!" And still, Beckett did nothing.

"We've caught him off guard, Jackie boy," I said with a grin. "He gives no orders."

"Cap'n?" Gibbs asked Jack.

With a grin, we both ordered, "Fire!"

"FIRE!" Gibbs yelled.

"FIRE!" Will ordered.

"FIRE!" Barbossa echoed.

"FIRE ALL!" Elizabeth yelled.

Cannons erupted. Each shot slammed into the Endeavour, blowing the ship apart. It was only a matter of time before powder magazine was struck.

"ORDERS? ORDERS, SIR?" Theodore demanded. 

"SIR, WHAT DO YOU COMMAND?" Andrew Gillette yelled.

I met Beckett's gaze from across the span of two ships. Stunned, his jaw trembled, and together we said, "It's just good business." His trembling, shocked voice was far less confident than my own triumphant croon. A smile twisted on my lips.

Theodore and Andrew. I could not let them die. I did not want them to die. I could not let Anamaria suffer as I had if she lost Theodore. I sent a magical order to them both: Leave as soon as you can. Get out of there. You must live. 

They both looked at me. I winked. They nodded.

Beckett said nothing.

"ABANDON SHIP!" Theodore ordered to the crew and many flocked to follow his lead as he jumped overboard and swam like hell toward the Pearl. I raced to the side and helped pull him overboard. Several other men followed him, Andrew Gillette among them.

"Do not harm them!" I ordered and wrapped him in my coat. "Do not harm them for my sake and for James Norrington's!" I whipped back to the Endeavour to find Beckett beginning to walk down his ship's stairs, straight-backed and as if he were a king, even as his ship was torn to pieces around him.

Fire engulfed the ship as one hit landed to the powder magazine. Glass smashed and wood whirled around. I gathered up my magic, preparing for the moment I would at last get my revenge. I drew James' knife. 

I wished myself to the deck of the Endeavour. Not a single thing touched me. Beckett met my gaze, his terror and sorrow clear in his face.

"Zuri..."

"You have no idea how long I've waited to do this," I whispered, bringing my hand to his shoulder and steadying the point of my blade at his heart. I shoved and his blood ran hot over my hand. I twisted the knife and he cried out. I yanked the knife back and was once again on the deck of the Pearl.

The Endeavour exploded, engulfed in flame. Explosion after explosion rocked it and I watched as a body hit a flag bearing the crest of the East India Trading Company, the sea glowing gold with each explosion.

And soon the ship's charred husk sank beneath the waves.